After finishing 2018 by winning the US Open, Naomi Osaka began her 2019 in the same way by winning a Grand Slam title.
Osaka, at 21 years old, achieved her second consecutive Grand Slam title by winning the women’s singles title at the Australian Open on Saturday.
She defeated Petra Kvitova by a 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 count in the final in Melbourne.
Osaka, who was born in Japan but raised in the United States, has officially cemented herself as one of the forces to be reckoned with in women’s tennis.
Osaka will almost certainly certainly go up to become the #1 ranked women’s singles player in the world after winning the Australian Open. She was ranked #4 at the beginning of the tournament.
Osaka’s 2018 US Open title was full of controversy. Despite beating Serena Williams in the final, little was said about the winner of the major upset. Instead, most people focused upon the drama that beset the final after Williams was levied unfair penalties by the match referee and got into a shouting match with him.
This time, however, all eyes are on Osaka. Her win over #8 ranked Kvitova was the story of her simply being the better player.
Women’s tennis may just have a new face, and it’s time to take notice.
